BGM Hero

The night was misty, the moonlight hazy, as desolate as a weeping widow.

Lower City, Pomo Port.

The sea breeze howled, and waves crashed against the concrete harbor walls with a whoosh. White sea foam churned within the waves, pushing into the holes eroded by long-term impact.

Pomo Port was one of the few places in the Lower City where one could see the sea. Central City's express delivery trade had once planned to develop it, intending to build a sizable port for containerizing and transshipping goods. However, the chaotic environment of the Lower City ultimately proved too much, causing them to withdraw their funding, leaving behind only the partially constructed port.

As a result, Pomo Port had a unique existence. Instead of container yards and warehouses, its land was lined with small port buildings, stretching along the harbor and into other districts.

Alex stood on the rooftop of one of these buildings, his back to the moon, his hood pulled up. He looked like a grim reaper under the moonlight, a dark figure standing in a corner. Through the slits of his smooth, silver mask, he watched the approaching transaction at Pomo Port.

Under the dim, flickering lights of Pomo Port, two groups of people met.

Both groups were burly, powerfully built men, numbering around fifteen or sixteen in total. One group, predominantly Black, openly displayed their automatic rifles, cheap AK-47s, and various handguns tucked into their belts.

Facing them, the Russian Gang members, all white men, were no less imposing, openly displaying their firearms and showing no signs of backing down.

Both sides eyed each other warily, their guns held in positions ready to swivel.

The group with more Black members was Jack's Severed Hand Gang. Some of them, dissatisfied with Jack, were leaders aiming to seize power. Alex's first heroic appearance had been to help Jack deal with these dissenters and stabilize his gang.

The opposing Russian Gang was also a gang in the Lower City comprised of Russians, engaged in a money-laundering transaction with the Severed Hand Gang.

From his vantage point, Alex had a clear view of the entire scene. He noticed that there were more than just these two groups present; a considerable number of people were hiding in the alleyways, likely planning a double-cross.

Alex paid them no mind. He needed people to publicize his superhero identity, and they were perfect for the job.

"The wind is high, the moon is dark, the night of slaughter has begun."

As the sea breeze blew, the hem of his trench coat billowed. Alex drew two black Desert Eagles from his back waist, planted his feet on the balcony, and prepared to begin his killing spree.

"Alex, I'll ask you one more time, are you willing to cooperate?"

Suddenly, the System's voice echoed in Alex's ear.

The salty sea breeze rustled the hem of Alex's trench coat. The silver mask beneath the hood was cold. "Only if you reveal everything, then we can talk."

He still didn't trust the System, believing it was hiding something. Until the System confessed everything, he couldn't be bothered with it.

"You refuse a toast and prefer a forfeit, Alex, I will punish you!" the System roared angrily.

Alex didn't take it seriously. The System had never threatened his life since it appeared. He considered it a useless, noisy brat.

Just as Alex was about to make his entrance and kill the gangsters involved in the transaction, a massive soundwave erupted beside him.

"Deng deng deng deng deng deng deng..."

Zhang Jie's "Battle of the Reverse," with its prelude like a heartbeat in wartime, suddenly burst forth with intense energy. It was like a colossal clap of thunder on a quiet plain, raising goosebumps.

This grand, heart-pounding prelude suddenly exploded, echoing through the sky. The soundwaves, almost tangible, vibrated the air, creating ripples that spread in all directions.

Alex quickly retreated three steps, concealing his figure. His pupils constricted as he looked towards the adjacent rooftop. Sand and dust on the rooftop were being shaken and sent flying by the sonic waves.

The immense soundwave boomed in Alex's ears, erupting from half a meter away. He reached out and lightly touched the area, passing through the powerful, rhythmic soundwaves. It was as if a giant speaker was vibrating beside him, playing the intense prelude to "Battle of the Reverse."

"System, what are you doing!"

Alex was dumbfounded. The heart-pounding melody in his ears grew more intense!

He was certain he wasn't being controlled by the System, and his Magnetic Psionics were still active. This powerful soundwave wasn't generated by him, yet it vibrated from half a meter away, the music moving with him as if he had a built-in speaker, making his scalp tingle.

"Didn't you want to be a hero? I'll fulfill your wish!" the System said menacingly.

After the excited, massive prelude began, it transitioned into the singing part. The System directly simulated a deep, battle-hardened voice and began to sing.

"On this turbulent battlefield... a superhero appears..."

In the darkness of the night, this voice was like a military loudspeaker, spreading terrifyingly in all directions. Houses far away that had already turned off their lights were jolted awake by the sound, and lights flickered on throughout the nearby streets of Pomo Port, like fireflies. They wanted to see which pervert was playing music so loudly at night!

Alex hadn't intended such a dramatic entrance. He had planned to start subtly, like Batman's initial appearances, becoming an urban legend, slowly emerging, gradually accepted, and slowly known.

But now, the System was even changing the lyrics! "A superhero appears!"

Alex was amused and exasperated. Was his debut really going to have background music?!

This massive soundwave erupted from Alex's rooftop. Although he had retreated a few steps and hidden behind the rooftop, the soundwave was too powerful. It shot straight up, startling the two gangster groups and the hidden individuals who were in the midst of their transaction. They nervously aimed their guns at each other.

"You're buying drugs and playing music? Are you trying to pull something!" one of the Black Severed Hand Gang members roared.

"Damn it, you're the ones playing music! Are you trying to double-cross us, notify someone, or ambush us, the Russian Gang!" the Russian Gang members retorted, pointing their automatic rifles at the Severed Hand Gang members and shouting.

The two groups preparing to trade were on the verge of open conflict, their tension palpable. The massive soundwave erupting from Alex's rooftop made them glance nervously in that direction.

At this moment, the System's altered lyrics, sung in a deep, battle-ready voice, soared into the sky.

"Amidst the roaring flames of battle... announcing to the whole world..."

"The signal of flying smoke and dust... the hero era is dawning..."

The two gangster groups were enraged. They felt someone was targeting them. Hearing the direction of the sound, they immediately turned their guns towards Alex's rooftop and, amidst the System's spirited singing, opened fire with a 'da da da da...' barrage, sending dust flying from the rooftop walls. The gunfire perfectly complemented the line about flying smoke and dust.

The gunfire and the massive soundwave merged, creating a fierce, deafening roar!

"Who is it?"

"Come out!!"

"Come out!!!!"

"Who the hell is playing background music at night!!!"